//Spicerack, you're such a bore. And a heartless one at that. Actually, I apologise; I've just realised that you're a bot, so it's not your fault. //
Quite an unfair appraisal of what Spicerack wrote. I see nothing heartless in what he wrote. It is a matter of fact that people have died due to incidents being prolonged by risk assessments and H&S rules.
I can cite quite recent individual cases where (a) a man who was either intoxicated or unwell drowned in three feet of water in a pond where he was stuck. Two PSCO's wanted to wade in and extricate the casualty but were prevented by Senior Fire Officers as they insisted a rescue life raft be summoned. (b) A woman fell down a deep disused mine shaft and had fractured many bones but when found was still alive. A fire officer wanted to abseil down the shaft to bring her up. Again he was stymied by a higher authority who insisted winches be bought to the scene and a full risk assessment being done. The woman died before she reached the surface.
Whereas members of the emergency services knew the risks they still attempted to save lives at risk to their own. It was expected of them to do so. There are many officers in the three emergency services these days feel a sense of shame when people die on the altar of H&S regulations and all that comes with it.
Spicerack, imo, was not out of order or a heartless bot. He was stating a fact.